Clothes-pressing tool.



T. M. HOUSE.

CLOTHES PRBSSING TOOL. PPLIOATION FILED 11.11.12, 1910.

984,673. Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

attenua ,M if 05M 13,6%? M 'I'. M. HOUSE.

CLOTHES PRESSING TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12, 1910.

984,673. Patented Feb.21, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l a citizen of the United States,

THOMAS M. HOUSE, F WELDON, NORTH CAROLINA.

CLOTHES-PRESSING TOOL.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 21, 1911.

v Application filed lTanuary 12, 1910. Serial No. 537,726. A

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS M. HOUSE,

Weldon, lin the county of Halifax and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes- Pressing Tools, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates `to improvements in self-heating, ressing irons or tools, and while it may variously embodied for difl ferent purposes, it is more especially adapted for creasing trousers, coat lapels and other portions of wearing, apparel without removlng them from the person, the tool being es ecially adapted for use in barber sho s, s oe' shining parlors and tailoring esta lishments. n vOne object ofthe invention is to provide a sim le and practical device of this character 1n the form of a pair of pliers or tongs so thatit may be conveniently manipulated. Otherobjects ofthe invention are to pro-4 vide a device of this character with improved means for mounting the pressing members, and improved means for electrically heating them. 1

With the above and other objects in view, the `invention consists of the novel construction,combination and arrangement of arts, hereinafter fully described and claime ,and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which w Figure l is a perspective view of m improved cloth pressing iron or tool; ig. 2

1s a sectional view through the same; Fig. 3

is a longitudinal section through one of ythe pressing members or heads taken on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 2'; Fig.` 4 is. a plan view partly in section of i one of the pressing members or heads with its outer cover plate removed; fFig.- 5 is a pers tive'view of the cover plate of one oft e pressing members or heads; Fig. 6 is a 'perspective viewJ of the core of one of the heating coils; Fig. 7 is a detail sectiontaken on 'the plane ,indicated by the line '7-7 in Fig. 2; and Fig.y 8 is a detail end view showing the pressin members or heads provided with corrugate opposing faces.

The invention comprises two opposing pressin membersvor heads 1, either or both of whi kmay carry se1f-heating means, and

residing at Ilevers 2 preferably crossed intermediate their ends and united by a pivot 3, the members or heads 1 being carried by the outer ends of said levers and the inner ends of the latter being formed with finger or hand loops 4 whereby the device resemblesa pair of tongs or pliers with the members l forming the jaws thereof. When the members or heads 1 are of substantially rectangular form as shown, the outer ends of the levers 2 are curved outwardly in opposite directions as shown at 5 so as to receive said members, the pivotal connection of the latter being preferably effected by forming the ends 5 of the levers with transverse tubular proj cctions or armswhich receive transverse pivots\7 having projecting ends rotatable in bearing lugs or brackets 8 formed integral with or attached to the members or heads 1. By mounting one or both of the members 1 on such a transverse pivot it will be seen that the two members will adapt themselves to the shape of the object placed between them and thereby enable such object to be more effectively pressed.

In order to maintain the pressing members or heads 1 normally in substantially parallel relation, I preferably provide leaf springs 9 and stops 10. The springs 9 have theirlinner ends secured at 11 to the curved rtions 5 of the levers and their free ends ar against the outer faces of the members or heads 1 so as to press them against the stop lugs 10, the latter being formed preferably integral with the outer extremities of the levers and on the transverse portionsor arms 6. as shown.

The pressing members or heads 1 may be of any desired shape and construction, and their opposing operative faces may be flat, curved or of irregular shape, and they may be either smooth or roughened. However, when the device is to be used for creasing trousers, pressing coat lapels or the like,'I preferably make the co-acting or o posing faces of the members or heads at and rou hen them by nurling 12. I wish it un erstood, however, that any other roughened finish may be provided on the active faces of the pressing members and that, if

desired, said faces may be corrugated as shown at 13 in Fig. S, or otherwise. shaped according to thc use which the iron is to serve.

While any suitable means may be provided for heating the pressing members or heads 1, l preferably employ electrical coils 14. These coils are formed of Wire wrapped around a metal core 15, the latter being of substantially rectangular shape and having insulating strips 16 folded around its longitudinal edges and adapted to support thewire coils 14, which latter pass transversely around the core, as shown in Fig. 4. The core 15 serves not only as a support for the coil but also as a heat-retaining member, and while it may be of any shape and construction it is preferably formed from a substantially rectangularl metal plate and has rounded, longitudinal edges 17, recessed side faces 18 and openings 19, the latter reducing its weight so that the tool will not be too heavy to be conveniently manipulated. The core and its coil 14 is surrounded by insulating strips or plates 20 which insulate it from the pressing member or head in which it is positioned and which line the opening or cavity in such member or head. `While as above stated said members or heads may be of any desired shape and construction, they are here shown as in the form of hollow, rectangular boxes each consisting of a body portion 21, and a removable cover plate 22. The body 21 is closed and has its outer face open to receive the cover plate 22 which latter retains the coil and its core in the cavity or chamber 23 of said body. In order to secure the plate 22 in position and at the same time permit of its ready removal for repair purposes, the ends of said plate are adapted to rest on shoulders 24 formed in the end walls of the body 21, and one end of said cover plate is formed with a longitudinally projecting tongue 25 to enter a recess or seat 26 formed in the adjacent end wall of the body. The other end of vsaid cover plate has a transverse opening to receive a fastening screw 27, which latter enters a threaded socket 28 formed in one of the shoulders 24. It will be seen that when the screw 27 is removed, the cover plate may be slipped out of the body of the heating member or head. If desired I may place beneath the cover plate one or more sheets 29 of asbestos or other material which is a non-conductor of heat in order to prevent the radiation of heat through the cover plate to the levers. It will be noted that the lrnnrled operative "faces 12 of the heating members are formed integral with the boxes or casings 21, and that the pivot lugs or brackets 8 are formed integral with the cover plates, such construction being the preferable form of constructingthe device. The terminals of the resistance or heating coil 14 is connected to two binding posts or screws 30 arranged in and insulated from the inner longitudinal walls of the bodies 21 of the heating members. Each of these binding posts 30 consists of a screw arranged inthe tubular boss or enlargement 31 formed on the body 21 and insulated therefrom by a tubular insulating member or sleeve 32 arranged in said boss. The head of the screw is arranged within the body 1 and is in electrical contact with the coil 14, and on the outer threaded end of the screw are a pair of milled nuts 33, 34, beneath which are clamped one of the terminals of electric circuit conductors. These circuit conductors are arranged in the usual insulated cord or cable 35, the end of which has insulated branches 36 terminating inapertured contact plates or washers 37, which latter are arranged between the nuts 33, 34.

For the purpose of guiding the conducting cable or cord 35 and preventing it from becoming twisted around the hand levers, two guides 38, 39 are provided for it. The guide 3S is in the form 0f an apertured lug or projection formedintegral with and on the inner face of one of the hand loops 4, the portion of such hand loop opposite said lug 38 beine channeled or grooved for the reception of tl'tie conductor. he other guide 39 1s secured to or formed upon one end of the pivoty 3 for the levers, which pivot is preferably in the form of a bolt and has the guide 39 formed integral with its head. This guide v consists of a transverse enlargement formed on the head of the pivot bolt 3 and provided with a transverse bore 40 and an intersecting longitudinal slit 41 which extends from one end to a point adjacent to the other end of said enlargement. The bore 40 is adapted to receive the conducting cord 35, an insulating sleeve 42 being arranged within said bore and around the conductor, and the latter is adapted to be securely clamped in said bore by neans of a screw 43 passed through an opening in the outer portion of the slit end of said enlargement and into a screw threaded opening 44 formed in the inner or base portion of said enlargement, as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. It will be seen that the member 39 not only serves as a guide but also as a clamp for prevent-in the conducting cord from being pulled o of the tool.'

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides an exceedingly eicient portable pressing iron, and one which will be ve useful mbarber shops, shoe shining par ors, dressmaking, millinery and tailoring establishments, in the home, and in fact any place where clothes, cloth or other materia is to be pressed with a heated iron. The peculiar manner of mountin the heating members or heads on the hand levers renders it' exedingly `effective for 13o creasing trousers, coat lapels and other wearing apparel without removing the same from the person.

I have found in practice that the device is exceedingly effective for the purposes intended and the embodiment illustrated may be eifectively used in barber shops, shoe shining parlors and the like, for pressing trousers, pocket and coat lapels without removing the garment from the customer, and while the latter is getting his shoes shined. By heating the pressing heads or members electrically an even .temperature is maintained so that there will be no danger of burning the garment, the iron may be continuously used and there will be no dirtor danger of soiling the objectthat is pressed.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction set forth, since various changes in the form, proportion and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction, may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is: I

l. An electrically heated pressing tool comprising a pair of pivotally connected hand levers, opposing pressing heads carried by the outer ends of said levers and having flat, roughened, opposing surfaces to receive a portion of a garment between them, a transverse pivot uniting one of said heads to its lever whereby said head may be swung longitudinally of the lever and angularly with respect to the other head, a spring bearing against said pivotally mounted head and carried `by the` lever which supports said head, and means for electrically heating one of said heads.

2. An electrically heated pressing tool comprising pivotally connected hand levers, opposing pressing heads carried by the outer ends of the said levers, a pivot connecting one of said heads to its lever, a spring bearing against said pivotally mount ed head and carried by the lever which supports said head, and means for electrically heating one of said heads.

3. An electrically heated lpressing tool comprising pivotally connecte hand levers, opposing pressing heads carried by the Outer ends of said levers, a pivot connecting one ofsaid heads to its lever, a stop to limit the swinging movement of said pivotally mounted head, said stop being carried by the lever which supports said head, a spring carried by the last mentioned lever and bearing against the pivotally mounted head to maintain it in contact with said stop, and means for electrically heating one of said heads.

4. An electrically heated pressing tool comprising a pair of pivotally connected hand levers, opposin pressing heads carried by the outer ends o said levers and pivotally connected thereto whereby said heads may swing angularly with respect to each other and adapt themselves to the object placed between them, the opposing pressing faces of said heads being rougliened, stops carried by said levers and adapted to be engaged by saidv heads whereby the swinging movement of the latter is limited, positioning springs carried by said levers and bearing against said heads to hold them in contact with. their stops and means for electrically heating one of said heads.

5. An electrically heated pressing tool, comprising a pair of hand levers, a pivot uniting said levers, and formed at one end 'with a clamp, a guide on the handle end of one of said levers, a pair of opposing pressing heads pivotally mounted on the outer ends of said levers, stops on said levers to limit the swinging movement of said heads, springs carried by said levers to bear against the heads and maintain them in contact with the stops, electric heating means in said pressing heads, and an electric cable passed through said eye and said clamp and having flexible branch conductors connected to the electrical heating means in said heads.

6. An electrically heated pressing tool comprising a pair of lpivotally connected hand levers, opposing pressing heads carried by the outer ends of said levers, and provided with flat opposing faces to receive a portion of a garment between them, transverse pivots uniting said heads to said leversl whereby the opposing faces of said heads may be swung angularly with respect to each other to adapt themselves to the garment placed between them, means carried by said levers to position the fiat opposing faces of the pressing heads in substantially parallel relation, and means for electrically heating one of said heads.

7. An electrically heated pressing tool comprising a pair of pivotally connected hand levers, opposing pressing heads carried by the outer' ends of said levers, and provided with tlat opposing faces to receive a portion of a garment between them, transverse pivots uniting said heads to said levers where y the opposing flat faces of said heads may be swung angularly with respect to each other to adapt themselves to the garment placed between them, stops carried by said levers to limit the swinging movement of said heads, springs carried by said levers to engage said heads and yieldably maintain them in contact with said stops, and means for electrically heating one of said heads.

8. An electrically heated pressing tool comprising a pair of pivotally connected levers, the latter being crossed and having finger pieces at their inner ends and their outer ends curved outwardly in opposite directions and formed with laterally projecting studs and centrally arranged stop lugs, opposing pressing heads having on 5 their outer faces spaced bearing brackets, to receive said studs between them and having lat opposing inner faces provided with roughened surfaces, transverse pivots uniting said studs and bearing brackets, springs 10 fixed to the curved ends of said levers and bearing against said heads to maintain them in Contact with said stop lugs, and means for electrically heating one of said heads.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS M. HoUsE.

Witnesses J. G. DUVAL, A. M. FRANCIS. 

